Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-08-27

Ioau Is very ANXIOUS ~ see my shetones,
Fraulein. This IL my sister, Mr. Cudd. I"
How do you do, Mr.. Codd. 1t is very
kind OF You to come up here. Geraldine
has told me all about you. You have
such a lovely house and beautiful pictures,
and such nice things to eat | am not
out or should like to come and see it
all
Mr. Codd murmured something vague
about next year.
Jerry is very kind To me, You know,
though she will not make haste and get
married. If | want particularly to see
any of her admirers-you do admire her,
Of course. or You would not come 81 often
she always manages To bring them up
stairs. Now, Rupert Paulet and l are
great friends-isn't he a dear boy: And
Lord Strathnelian was verv nice, too, till
Geraldine refused him and he went off to
America, and has been shooting bears
ever since. You know 1 mustn't come
downstairs 10 the drawing room or be in
spected by any young men before my
hour has struck. Mamma would faint il
l made myself know. prematurely. Am
To burst suddenly on the fashionable
| world Do you admire mamma, Don't
you think her clever Oh, You would say
she is clever if you knew my sisters
Letitia and IIermione. They are both
very stupid AID not particularly good
looking-Jerry and are the best Of the
lot-yet they both married well, and
Ietitia is a marchioness. Mamma man
aged il all. You can't think how dull
and pompous my brother in law Slate
ford is! l don't think should care to be
| q marchioness."
Mr.. Codd appeared much amused by
this girlish chatter. The outspoken Lady
Margaret had u charming piquante face
that made people feel young to look at.
Lady Geraldine and the eoverness re-
turned from the adjoining room with port
folios to find Mr.. Codd and Lady Mar
garet on the best Of terms
Mr.. Codd had no previous conception
that aristocratic lips We're ever frank and
| ingenious, though he was, of course,
aware the humanity Of a lowe, degree is
candid TO painful degree.
After three weeks or SO Lady Umfre-
vile began TO think it time for Mr.. Codd
to make up his mind Why did he not
propose Ia Geraldine,
The preliminaries had gone on long
enough, and the worlds eyes were begin
ming to fix curiously on the pair Lady
Int wealthy
stakeholder too fully TO escape calumny
The countess thought it might be expe-
lient to give the backward suitor a gem
tie push. The honor intended for him
might seem too great. In secluded
corner at garden party she opened fire.
You are evidently not a marrying
man. Mr.. Codd,' she said, playfully
How can you resist the lovely girls you
meet daily
Mr., Codd cast a sharp glance 1t the
ady's smiling face.
My thoughts have been always given
TO other matters-more prosaic things,
Lady Umfreville. Till lately the idea Of
matrimony never entered my head"
'.Ah. then. l suppose you have begun
70 think of it. Indeed a man Of your po-
sition. Of your wealth and influence, owes
his duty to society. OF course you are
entitled 10 look for birth and beauty, and
feel sure that any well brought up, right
minded girl will appreciate your sterling
qualities. l have no son Of my own. you
know'' with a sigh. but l assure you,
Mr.. Codd, / feel quite q maternal inter
sst in your welfare"
This was rather more than necessary
Mr.. Codd's little eyes srarkled.
Pray cease, Lady Umfreville am
not man 10 rate my own merits beneath
their worth, but l cannot allow you 10
speak in these terms"
Il have thought, Mr.. Codd," continued
the unabashed countess, that your re-
markable modesty might prevent you
from aspiring in direction where your
heart may be engaged. Let me offer you
encouragement. YoL remember the old
sdage faint heart never won fair lady
think l should like cup Of tea now, Mr..
Codd"
The stock brokers' eyes were downcast
as he conducted the lady to marquee.
While she slipped her tea she wondered
sudihly what had become Of Geraldine
Finally she sent Mr. Codd in quest of the
rowing damsel He presently found her
issuing from a secluded shrubbery in COM
pany Of Rupert PaIlet. He smiled at his
friend as he declared his mission to Lady
Geraldine.
That evening Rupert Paulet dined tete-
a-tete with Mr. Codd. When the servants
left the rom a silence fell between the
two men.
Am I to congratulate you, old fel-
low" said Mr.. Codd at last.
MY dear Codd, You are the best hacker
in the world You may congratulate me;
have won her, and il is all owing to you
You have put the only lucky chance l
have ever had in my way. There'll be the
deuce TO pay with her ladyship, of course;
but when she knows all there may be ex-
circumstances"
Mr.. Codd, getting up from his seat,
laid q hand on the younger mans
shoulder.
..I ,r,S paorl- falI;pr in 1oxo ,,-;,h no,
myself in the beginning, Paulet. She is
q beautiful creature"
$50 l thought-sO l was afraid" an
swered Rupert.
"But l soon saw how 1t was md it
wouldn't have been any good. can't
think how she has bred SO true. The
And that little Lady Margaret-she is
she is SO tired of lords and marquises"
laughed pleasantly.
'.Shall tell the countess all about it
10 morrow, l have an appointment with
her in the morning"
"If you only would, my dear Codd.
You might break it gently. I'm in
funk when think Of facing her"
On the moro" MI SOOu jumped lntoa
hanson with cheerful mien and drove
down 10 Princes gate. Lady Umfreville
was Of course at home and would receive
Mr.. Codd In her boudor. This solicited
interview surely BODIED some good news
''You are an early visitor,'s said,
smiling. Il thought you were always in
the city at IL o'clock"
'Not always, Lady Umfreville. And
happily have taken a partner who will |
relieve me of much responsibility.
''Indeed-a very wise step. \ rising |
young city man, l suppose. II he is
friend Of yours, you must bring him here
some day.